There are two breeds of electric mountain bikes out there – ones that you can jump, high-speed turn, and generally abuse; and those that can cruise over mud, rock, and ice. In this article we will look at both types, including high-powered trail monsters but also a child’s electric mountain bike for introducing them to mountain biking.
We also cover a number of relatively affordable electric mountain bikes that will suit your needs for exploring the backwoods. Whatever you want from an electric mountain bike in 2023, there’s probably one for you here. Read on to find out more.
Best Range Overall
R22 Everest
300 mi
RANGE
36 mph
TOP SPEED
8 hrs
CHARGE TIME
93 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- 200 mm travel rear swing arm suspension
- Rohloff 500 internal gearbox
- Each bike made to your measurements
Bottom Line
If you have over $18,000 to spend on an e-bike, Colorado-based Optibike can custom-build you the R22 Everest, designed to be the ultimate electric adventure bike.
Optibike reckons their Everest e-bike can get as many as 300 miles per charge on pedal assist mode at 15 mph with a 160 lb rider. Though it looks like an off-road motorcycle thanks to its long travel swingarm suspension, this is a beast that can be ridden like an electric bike where you want to, if you want to expend some energy on your epic adventure.
Thanks to the sheer power of this electric mountain bike, it can barely be called an e-bike, especially considering its top speed of 36 mph. In most states, it would be considered ‘out of class,’ and you may well be asked to register it as a motorcycle.
Everest R22 Accessories
- Fender and rack
- Lighting
- Dual battery (advertised 3,260 Wh total)
- Upgraded brakes
Things to Consider
Built primarily as an extreme off-road adventure bike, the Optibike Everest R22 can reach speeds of up to 36 mph. In many states, this makes it illegal to ride on public roads. Check with your state e-bike laws before riding anywhere.
If you have a friend who owns a ranch in the Rockies (many do so this isn’t far out) then you could test this to its potential. National parks and state parks generally observe the three-class e-bike system, and this does not qualify.
Longest Range Cargo E-Bike
Riese & Müller Load 75
100 mi
RANGE
28 mph
TOP SPEED
6 hrs
CHARGE TIME
84 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- 7 basic models to choose from
- Most expensive models have a belt/Rohloff internal gearbox system
- Cargo carried in front of rider
- 440 lb cargo capacity
Bottom Line
One of the big reasons e-bike buyers want a long-range machine is for deliveries and, in some cases, getting the kids to school. This is where the Riese & Muller Load 75 comes in.
Going up to 120 miles with the optional dual-battery version, the Load 75 can carry up to 440 lbs of people or packages. You could carry your well-built teenage son, plus all your groceries from the grocery store to your home.
Riese & Muller is one of Germany’s leading brands as far as e-bikes go — call them the Audi of e-bikes. The US Class 3 version can go very quickly too — although it’s limited to 28 mph — and is the first genuine in-class e-bike we have on our list.
With the speed of traffic in cities often far lower than 28 mph, and with the ability to use most bike lanes, it has been proven that e-cargo-bikes can deliver packages up to 60% more quickly than vans.
The starting price for this e-bike is over $11,000. But if you can stand the hit to your bank account, this could be the perfect middle ground between e-bike and vehicle.
Riese & Müller Load 75 Accessories
- Cargo rack
- Child seat
- Belt drive or chain drive
- Mirrors
- Many other configurations between $8,000 entry-level and $14,000 top spec model
Things to Consider
This is like the minivan of the electric bike world. You may need to pay for additional options to get the most out of it. Getting a belt drive system and Rohloff gearbox, for example, will add $1,300 to the price over a chain drive/derailleur system. The dual battery option is also $1,078 more.
Best Long Range Step-Thru e-bike
DŌST Drop CVT
100 mi
RANGE
28 mph
TOP SPEED
6 hrs
CHARGE TIME
75 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Belt drive for ease of maintenance
- Continuous variable transmission (CVT) gear system
- Ergotech adjustable stem for the perfect riding position
- Rear rack is standard
Bottom Line
A couple riding Canada-based Dōst e-bikes broke the world record for a journey made by e-bikes in 2022, cycling 7,000 miles from Kay West, FL to Bellingham, WA. Averaging 100 miles a day on their electric bikes, they showed the world what can be done on these machines.
This is the first e-bike on this list we would call a genuine consumer electric bike, as it sits in the mid-range of e-bike pricing. The Dōst Drop is also a step-through e-bike that suits men, women, as well as those with lower mobility.
This machine is possibly the easiest to maintain here thanks to a belt drive and a sealed, continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox. With unlimited ratios available, you can use pedal power to add to the efficiency of riding this bike too.
That means you can try and test out the company’s claims by putting serious mileage into it, even with some big hills!
Things to Consider
Though it has quality suspension forks that may encourage a longer off-road spell on your travels, as-sold, the bike lacks off-road tires. This could put you in a sticky situation should you go too far off the road route without investing in the right tires.
Affordable Long-Range E-Bikes
Up to this point we’ve been showing long-range electric bikes that cost upwards of $5,000. Let’s face it, this just isn’t in the price range of a lot of people who may want an electric bike as a commuter or as means of seeing friends 20 miles away.
The next three are in the affordable bracket from $3,099 to under $1000.
Long Range E-Bike for Under $2,000
Juiced HyperScrambler 2
100 mi
RANGE
28 mph
TOP SPEED
8 hrs
CHARGE TIME
119 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Motorcycle-style saddle for added comfort
- Chain drive/cassette gears
- Integrated turn signals
- Loud horn and alarm to get drivers’ attentions
Bottom Line
Like the two e-bikes that we opened this article with, the Juiced HyperScrambler 2 could be considered ‘out of class.’ Still, a bike that can go 100+ miles for just under $2,000 is worth mentioning. Juiced is hosting a sale on many of its models as they gear up to introduce new models to the public.
The budget-friendly Juiced HyperScrambler 2 packs a big punch for a little machine. It can maintain good speeds even on steep inclines, and it can be ridden throttle-only or in PAS mode without breaking much of a sweat.
Hyperscrambler Accessories
- Portable electric air pump
- Apple Airtags
- A turbo 52v 4-Amp Lithium Ion Battery Charger
- Phone mount with a cable that plugs into the Hyperscrambler’s USB port on the handlebars.
Things to Consider
Because it goes 28 mph and has a throttle, this e-bike is (just) out of class, so it may not comply with most states’ rules on electric bikes. Check your local laws before throttling up to max speeds on public roads.
Long Range Fat Tire E-Bike Under $2,000
Himiway Zebra
80 mi
RANGE
15.5 mph
TOP SPEED
7 hrs
CHARGE TIME
79 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Rear rack is standard
- Fenders
- Lights
- Comfortable sprung saddle
Bottom Line
A standard, Class 2, long-range commuter bike, the Himiway Zebra is perhaps the most sensible electric bike we have on our list. Its retail price is just $1,999, so you’re getting a lot of power per dollar by buying it.
With its fat tires and trekking looks, the Himiway Zebra is a very good, honest electric bike that will do the miles. Though it doesn’t have the pedigree of many other machines on our list, you can’t complain about an e-bike that will do better than 80 miles per charge for under $2,000.
Things to Consider
Being a relatively heavy bike and having an under-powered motor, the Zebra may struggle on some inclines. The style is also somewhat dated — those after an electric bike that keeps in step with the fashion of today may find it a little yesterday. That said, for an electric bike retailing for below $2,000, you get a big range.
Longest Range E-Bike for Under $1,000
Fiido L3 Long Range
120 mi
RANGE
16 mph
TOP SPEED
7 hrs
CHARGE TIME
52 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Foldable e-bike
- Rack and fenders
- Adjustable between rider height 5’0 and 6’5
- Sprung saddle
Bottom Line
A foldable electric bike that can do 120 miles? That has to be a winner! In all reality, the claimed 120-mile range is a bit of a stretch as you would have to travel at half power on a very flat route with minimal weight to achieve it. That said, there are times that you may need to get a good distance on a foldable e-bike — perhaps using it as land transportation while on an RV or boat trip.
With its compact foldable size and punchy motor, this little e-bike could be very useful in any situation.
Things to Consider
Fiido claims that you can ride 120 miles on pedal assist, but this is far from realistic. On full power at 16 mph, it will travel for three hours or a total of 50 miles. At 8 mph you could hit 100 miles.
Given that most e-bike riding occurs at around 15-16 mph, the only time you’d ever take such a half-powered ride would be if you needed to travel a long distance in some urgency — a very rare event.
We Haven’t Looked at Big Brands
Have you noticed we haven’t touched on Giant, Trek, Specialized, or any of the major brands of e-bikes?
These brands do make some pretty competitive electric bikes as far as range is concerned — some will do 70 miles on a charge. However, they don’t quite match the range or affordability of the bikes listed above. You won’t typically find a long-range tank killer, mountain buster, or cheap and sensible folding e-bike from big-name brands.
A 100-mile ride is a big ride by any standard. If you’re out having fun with your friends, it could take all day. We have shown some affordable e-bikes you could buy for that purpose or others, such as heading into the mountains to enjoy the views before coming back to your RV or hotel.
That’s not a bad way to pass the time! Whatever you want from a long-range e-bike, there’s probably one for you out there. Happy hunting!